Events
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of Province House, we launched a series of public events and activities for 2019. We invite the public to participate in the celebration and visit us at Province House.
February 7, 2019
Symphony Nova Scotia Concert
7:30 p.m., Rebecca Cohn Auditorium
French Masterpieces by Fauré and Ravel concert, the Symphony will premiere the full orchestra version of a Fanfare for Province House. The piece was commissioned by Province House to commemorate the 200th anniversary and composed by Symphony bassoonist Chris Palmer.
Admission: Concert tickets can be purchased at the box office or online.
February 11, 2019
Official Ceremony on the 200th Anniversary of Province House
2 p.m., Legislative Chamber, Province House
On February 11, 1819, Province House was officially opened by Lord Dalhousie. On February 11, 2019, we celebrate this anniversary with a commemorative ceremony.
Fanfare for Province House by members of the Stadacona Band, a Mi’kmaw smudge ceremony, official messages and addresses, and a fun and lively look at the building’s past and present in a vignette performed by Jeremy Webb and Jamie Bradley.
Due to space limitations, this is an invitation-only event, but it will be streamed live for the public on LTV. The full ceremony will be rebroadcast on cable for Eastlink and Bell subscribers on February 11, 15, 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. and will also be available on the Legislature’s YouTube channel.
February 12, 2019
Province House Presentation
7 - 8:30 p.m., Government House, 1451 Barrington Street
As part of the popular Evenings @ Government House series, Garry Shutlak, Senior Archivist at the Nova Scotia Archives, will give an illustrated presentation on the history of Canada's oldest legislative building.
Admission: Due to a very high level of interest, this event is now fully subscribed and registration is now closed.
February 22, 2019
Citizenship Ceremony
11:00 a.m., Red Chamber, Province House
His Honour, the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, will preside over a citizenship ceremony as twenty individuals take the oath to become Canadian citizens in the historic Red Chamber.
Admission: This event is open to the public, but space is limited to accommodate attendance by family members of new citizens.
Province House Concert Series
7:30 p.m., Red Chamber, Province House
The first event in our free public concert series, featuring a performance by Juno and ECMA award-winning singer-songwriter and banjo player Old Man Luedecke.
March 20, 2019
Province House Concert Series: Jazzing up the Red Room
7:30 p.m., Red Chamber, Province House
Renowned jazz pianist Holly Arsenault unites with jazz vocalists Daniel Matto and Karen Myatt as they pay homage to their favourite songwriters of all time. Join the trio for a 2-set soiree of smooth & sultry, classic & contemporary standards.
Admission: Due to a very high level of interest, this event is now fully subscribed and registration is now closed. Please email cancellations to rsvp@nslegislature.ca.
May 2, 2019
Province House Presentation
7-8:30 p.m., Red Chamber, Province House
Garry Shutlak, Senior Archivist at the Nova Scotia Archives, will give an illustrated presentation on the history of Canada's oldest legislative building.
Admission: This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are limited to 60 and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Send a message to rsvp@nslegislature.ca to reserve your tickets.
May 14, 2019
Province House Concert Series: Classy … not classical
7:30 p.m., Red Chamber, Province House
An evening filled with well-loved music from the far and not too far past, from jazz standards, through film tunes and tangos to the music of the Beatles and Queen, presented by our own Rhapsody Quintet.
Admission: This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are limited to 60 and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Send a message to rsvp@nslegislature.ca to reserve your tickets.
June 11, 2019
Interpretive Walk of the Rocks and Building Stones of Province House
7 p.m., Hollis Street Entrance, Province House
See Province House through the eyes of a geologist. Join Dr. Howard Donohoe, retired government geologist, for a special tour highlighting the rocks, minerals and structures found in Province House and adjacent corporate and government buildings. Learn about the building’s basement, floors, and grounds. See the cephalopod fossils embedded in the marble floor and hear about knife sharpening on the outside sandstone fence-wall. Dr. Howard will also tell you about the geological history of part of Nova Scotia and 19th century building practices. This is a family-friendly activity.
Admission: This event is free and open to the public. Send a message to rsvp@nslegislature.ca to reserve your tickets.
June 12, 2019
Province House Concert Series: It’s all about the piano!
7:30 p.m., Red Chamber, Province House
Frederic Chopin preferred Pleyel pianos above all others, so it’s only appropriate to celebrate the 200th anniversary with the Province House 1910 Pleyel parlour grand. This concert of Chopin’s music will feature pianist Danbee Ko, joined by violinist Mark Lee and cellist Shimon Walt. The program will include:
Scherzo No.2 in B-flat minor, Op.31 (Piano solo); the complete set of Piano Nocturnes, No.1-8, (Violin and Piano); Ballade No.1 in G minor, Op. 23 (Piano solo); and Cello Sonata in G minor, Op.65 (Cello and Piano).
Admission: This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are limited to 60 and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Send a message to rsvp@nslegislature.ca to reserve your tickets.
June 26, 2019
Party in the Garden
11:30 am to 1:30 pm, Province House Garden
In celebration of the Province House Bicentennial we have partnered with the Nova Scotia Government United Way Campaign to hold a “Party in the Garden.” Please join us on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm in the newly renovated garden at Province House. The band “Toy Shed” will begin playing at 11:30 am that morning and play over the lunch hour. Our United Way team will be providing food at a reasonable fee, with all proceeds going to that charity.
April 5 – September 22, 2019
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia Industrial Elements Exhibition
1723 Hollis Street, Halifax
In 1854, Province House hosted an Industrial Exhibition showcasing Nova Scotia resources and handicrafts. The ten-day event brought together over 1200 exhibitors showing over 3000 display items to approximately 25,000 visitors from across the province.
In celebration of the 200th anniversary, our neighbours at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia have included Province House in a new exhibition exploring industrial development in Nova Scotia. The Industrial Elements: Air, Fire, Water, and Earth exhibition features a small installation of 19th century prints of the building.
Admission: See the Gallery’s hours and admission information.
